SETON AND CAUTERY. 
591 
teurs ; but the deep cautery lesions, as advocated by Mr. Turner 
and his disciples; that is, burying the iron as deeply as you can 
without wounding the capsule or bursae. 
Previous to the operation the enlargements should be reduced 
as much as possible by rest, the application of wet bandages, and 
a little aperient medicine. 
The surface covering the enlargement being fired in the way 
above described, effusion takes place in the cellular tissue situ¬ 
ated between the external surface of the diseased bursae and the 
common integument. The effused lymph becomes organized, 
and thus renders the cellular membrane more dense, and in fact, to 
a certain degree scirrhous. The coats of the bursae likewise partake 
of this alteration of structure, and even to a greater extent than 
the subcutaneous cellular membrane. These combined with the 
tightening of the skin arising from the contraction of the cica¬ 
trices, render the part less susceptible of bursal distention than 
it was even previous to the existence of any disease. It is true 
that it will not entirely prevent the increased secretion of synovia; 
but the walls of the cavity in which this fluid is contained being 
rendered thicker by the inflammation caused by the applica¬ 
tion of the cautery, they are less liable to be distended by any 
pressure from within outwards, such as that arising from an 
accumulation of synovia. If this be not a bandage, and one of 
the most effectual kind, I know not what is meant by the term. 
Some have asserted that it is not; bringing forth as a proof the 
increased quantity of subcutaneous cellular tissue invariably 
found after firing. This is evidently formed for the purpose of 
facilitating the movement of the stiffened integument over a part 
in which there is naturally much motion. It does not, however, 
diminish the increase in thickness of, and pressure on, the coats 
of the bursse, resulting from the operation. 
It has been stated, that there is not a contraction of the skin 
after firing. Hearing that this was the opinion of one whose 
arguments were likely to be of great weight with his professional 
brethren, I determined on putting the matter to the test of expe¬ 
riment. 
Having previously measured certain extents of surface on dif¬ 
ferent parts of five horses which w'ere condemned for being glan- 
dered, I fired them deeply in lines parallel to each other. When 
the lesions had perfectly cicatrized, I measured the cauterized 
surfaces, and found that their dimensions were much diminished. 
I regret that it is impossible for me to render the account of this 
experiment as complete as it should be, having lost the memo¬ 
randa relating to it. 
Although I believe that it is froni the Oi/iding effects of the 
